Texans comeback to win over Chargers

Best thing to do when you are home sick after you slept most of the day.  Watch game film of the Texans game.

Texans game: This game started off just like the Cowboys game, Matt Schaub's first pass was picked off at their own 15 which resulted in a Chargers touchdown on the next play. The two went back and forth the rest of the first half but the Chargers managing to get out to a 21-7 lead at the half. The interesting fact to me was Houston not going to their playaction nearly as much in the first half despite running the ball effectively averaging 4.4 yards a carry, 15 rushes for 66 yards. They ran only one playaction passes hitting Owen daniels for 18 mid-way through the 1st quarter. This is a staple of their offense but thats what can happen when you trail double digits at half-time.

The Texans might have finally found their capable No.2 receiver to go along with Andre Johnson hitting on DeAndre Hopkins in the draft from Clemson, he was open often and made play after play which drew coverage off Johnson who hauled double digit catches on the night.

The Chargers were rolling to start the second half taking the opening drive 80 yards in 8 plays thanks to a monster playaction pass to Malcolm Floyd for 47 yards on the first play. They scored on a quick pass to Eddie Royal from the one yardline to take a 28-7 lead at the 10:46 mark of the third quarter.

You might think down by 3 touchdowns Head Coach Gary Kubiak would go no huddle, stay in shotgun passing every play to try and get back into the game. However that did not happen, the Texans responded with a 12 play drive going 70 yards holding the ball for over 5 minutes scoring on a touchdown pass to Garrett Graham. They still continued to run the ball 4 times on the drive to keep the Chargers pass rush from going all out for Schaub which was crucial considering how bad a game LT Duane Brown had.

Then everything changed...

The Chargers lead by 2 touchdowns with 4:45 left in the 3rd quarter, the Texans defense having trouble to stop the Chargers most of the night through the air and on the ground needed a stop. You would think a team with a 2 possession lead would want to work the clock a little as well to give their defense a break after giving up the score and protect the lead.  Instead the Chargers run the ball a total of 4 times for a grant total of 2 yards from the moment they lead in the game 28-7 to the moment they lost it.

San Diego acted like they were the team trailing by 14 in the second half, throwing the ball all over the place without success. The Texans D had to start blitz to force the issue and Rivers never made them pay for it.

Even with that said, a few things had to fall the Texans way to complete the comeback.

It is 3rd down and 8 with 14:55 left to go in the 4th quarter, Houston trails 28-14 but has driven the ball down to the Chargers 19. Schaub has a pass fall incomplete resulting in a field goal attempt to cut the lead down to 11. However a stupid personal foul penalty by the Chargers gives the Texans a new set of downs inside the 10 with a chance to make it a one possession game. Schaub waste no time finding Owen Daniels for the score turning what should have been a two possession game into a single score differential with 14:44 remaining to be played.

Fast forward to the 9:38 mark of the 4th quarter for the play of the game.  The Chargers take possession at their own 13 leading by 7. They had tried to run the ball twice on the previous possession only to gain a single yard in 2 attempts thanks to JJ Watt doing what he does to blow up running plays. The Chargers decide to put the ball in the air, Whitney Mercilus goes unblocked to rush the throw by Rivers into the flat where recently made rich Brian Cushing hauls in the interception, gets up and rumbles in for the tying score.

The Texans drove down the field from their own 39 thanks to three clutch receptions from Andre Johnson for 23 yards, and the inevitable game winning field goal as time expired.

Cowboys win over Giants - Initial Observations

Best thing to do when you are home sick after you slept most of the day.  Watch game film of the Cowboys game.

I will have my report up on both games this evening but initial observations were very simple.

Cowboys game: The offensive line exceeded expectations for how well they protected Romo especially Doug Free.  He was on an island most of the night and held his own  earning a positive grade from Pro Football Focus.  Ron Leary was darn near perfect at left guard in pass protection, needs work to finish his blocks in the running game but was very impressed with the guy. Top it off with someone we are completely taking for granted is Travis Frederick, he was solid in all areas, solidified the interior of the line but not dominant in either pass or run assignments.

What else can you really say about the defense, they got turnovers in practice in oxnard, they got them in the preseason and it has carried over into the regular season through one game. Cowboys color analyst Babe Laufenberg said just prior to the game, they practiced better this year than in previous years and it gives them a chance to be a real good football team. It sounded like a general statement that every broadcaster would echo but Babe has been on record in years past criticizing their practices especially under Switzer and Wade Phillips. It seems simple but if you practice well, it gives you as good a chance as any that you will play well when it counts. Morris Claiborne had a poor night in coverage giving way too much cushion and just was slow to react with his reads in this zone coverage. This shouldn't be suprising considering he hadn't played the entire preseason or most of camp, still think its overrated when young players are held out of camp & preseason?  A veteran with multiple years of starting experience can be given the benefit but not a second year player like Claiborne playing in a new scheme.  The defensive line was extremely impressive stopping the run and forcing pressure although predictably it slowed down in the second half, having depth can help you stay fresh on the lines Jerry. It is vital Anthony Spencer returns so George Selvie can become the versatile rusher attacking from either end spot.

Bye Bye Manny Diaz

As expected, the Texas Longhorns fired Manny Diaz today. Also as expected, former defensive coordinator Greg Robinson has been named his replacement effective immediately.

I also hope to see a few more changes, I want Quandre Diggs moved to the starting safety in place of Adrian Phillips. Steve Edmond replaced by Kelvin Stantos in the base scheme.

Finally, I want Jalen Overstreet to be the starter in the wildcat formation. I want the kid to be given every opportunity to see more playing time. I'm done with Ash & McCoy.